What is the main topic?

The main topic is the EU's revision of merger rules, focusing on innovation and investment benefits.

Why is the EU revising merger rules?

To modernize policies considering market trends and geopolitical developments, emphasizing innovation.

What are the concerns of national watchdogs?

They worry reduced competition might weaken service quality and innovation incentives.

Editorial & Advertiser disclosure

Global Banking & Finance Review® is an online platform offering news, analysis, and opinion on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the banking and finance industry worldwide. The platform covers a diverse range of topics, including banking, insurance, investment, wealth management, fintech, and regulatory issues. The website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. It does not reflect the views or opinion of our website and is not to be considered an endorsement or a recommendation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third-party websites, affiliate sales networks, and to our advertising partners websites. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish advertised or sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a commercial article placement. We will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on the website.

Home > Finance > EU seeks feedback on merger rules revamp amid pressure from businesses

Finance

EU seeks feedback on merger rules revamp amid pressure from businesses

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on May 8, 2025

2 min read

Last updated: January 24, 2026

Trump discusses land swaps for peace between Ukraine and Russia - Global Banking & Finance Review — Image depicting Donald Trump announcing his proposal for land swaps to achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia, amidst ongoing conflict. This moment highlights his diplomatic approach to resolving tensions in Eastern Europe.

EU Seeks Input on Overhauling Merger Rules Amid Business Pressure

By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU antitrust regulators are seeking feedback from companies and Europeans on their proposed overhaul of merger rules which telecom providers hope will place more emphasis on benefits from innovation and investment.

The European Commission launched a public consultation on Thursday, giving interested parties until September 3 to respond.

The EU executive outlined 7 topics - competitiveness and resilience, market power, innovation, decarbonisation, digitalisation, efficiencies, defence and labour considerations - on which it wants feedback.

The EU move came amid criticism from some businesses that competition regulators are not giving enough weight to claims of innovation and investment to counter regulatory worries about price hikes and too few players resulting from mergers.

EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said the aim is to modernise EU merger rules to take into account market trends and geopolitical developments.

"This is a pivotal moment for Europe, and it is only by evolving that we can ensure that our merger control policy continues to serve people, drive innovation, and strengthen Europe's resilience and leadership," she said in a statement.

Still, observers do not expect any radical shifts in EU merger rules which date from 2004 and have been tweaked several times since then, especially as they have generally received the backing of Europe's top court.

Ribera could face pushback from national watchdogs following a joint statement by competition watchdogs in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Ireland, the Netherlands and Portugal last month criticising pressure for major changes to the rules.

The regulators took a shot at telecoms operators, saying a reduced number of players can also weaken incentives to improve service quality, network coverage, density and innovation as well as undermine resilience and supply security.

"The narrative that fragmentation in the electronic communications sector, hindering investment and innovation, allegedly results from unduly strict competition rules is misplaced," they wrote.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)

EU seeks feedback on merger rules revamp amid pressure from businesses

Quick Summary

EU Seeks Input on Overhauling Merger Rules Amid Business Pressure

Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions about EU seeks feedback on merger rules revamp amid pressure from businesses